BY: KRYSTAL GROVER
The impact of the pandemic has been detrimental for nearly everyone and anything but has truly honed down on small businesses. That’s why this year, it is especially important for us to get out there and shop from small businesses, just in time for the holiday season!
The pandemic also sparked the creation of many more small companies, some operating overseas via the internet. Some small businesses are entrepreneurial endeavours, while others are home shops or side hobbies for many students and working individuals. There are 1.2 million small businesses in Canada alone, making up 97.9% of the total employer businesses reported in December of 2019. This means there are thousands more small businesses available to you to shop from, right at the tips of your fingers! With that many small businesses so readily available, everything you could want can be purchased from a small business.
There are many benefits of shopping local and supporting small businesses! For one, the customer service you receive when shopping at a small business is unparalleled to any other place. Holiday shopping is easily one of the most stressful things to be doing at this time of the year, and the personalized tone of shopping with small businesses does wonders to alleviate that. This, alongside getting beautiful and carefully curated products, can help you be on top of your holiday game this year. Most importantly, shopping at small businesses is a small ethical practice you can implement into your daily life. Small businesses tend to harm the environment less, strive to use ethically sourced material and are generally more transparent about their operations. You can be on top of your holiday game all while contributing to a better world.
An example of such a small business right here in the Downsview Community is Montevideo Bakery & Café, serving Uruguayan food such as baked treats and comfort dishes. Owned by Yenny Varela and her daughter Matilde Thedoli, Montevideo originally started with the pandemic, when both mother and daughter were laid off from their jobs. Although both women are from Uruguay, they are proud residents right here in the Downsview community! They truly wanted to bring a taste of Uruguayan culture to their neighbourhood and they did just that. Montevideo is often described as homey and comfortable, with a warmly ambient environment and delicious menu. For more information on the Montevideo Bakery & Café, feel free to check out their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/montevideobakery.to/.
This is but the tip of the iceberg, and mere exposure to all the potential small businesses offer here in the Downsview Community and across the world. This holiday season, let’s support the community and shop local.
